LINGUIST List 10.1222

Fri Aug 20 1999

Qs: Hebrew Diminutives, Syllabus Recommendations

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Hebrew diminutives
I am studying a reduplication pattern in Semitic languages, the
reduplication pattern that some scholars call quinquiliteral,
qataltal, qitiltil, abcbc, etc. In Biblical Herbrew, this was used
for a variety of uses. In Modern Hebrew, this pattern is commonly
used to mark diminutive forms, something not done in Biblical
Hebrew. This is illustrated below:
gloss stem diminiutive dim. gloss
'dog' keleb klablab 'puppy'
'cat' xatul xataltul/xataltal 'kitten'
'onion' basal bsalsul/bsalsal 'small onion'
'tail' zanav znavnav 'small tail'
When did the use of this reduplication pattern (qataltal) spread to
the diminutive function in Hebrew? Did it start with Modern Hebrew,
or did it begin during Rabinic Hebrew or some other period? Any
recommended sources? Any advice is welcome and will be gratefully
acknowledged.
Pete Unseth
e-mail: pete-carole_unsethsil.org

I am currently putting together a course on Language, Education and
Development. I would be most grateful if anyone has suggestions for
books and articles, and any class projects/activities that worked
particularly well for this kind of a course.